Staff Predictions: Baylor Opens League Play against Reigning Big 12 Champs, Arizona State

Inside the Huddle: Keys to the Game as Baylor Faces Arizona State

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (2-1) conference opener against Arizona State (2-1). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 20, at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, and the game will be nationally televised on FOX.

Colt Barber (2-1) — Baylor 35, Arizona State 30

Baylor will need to play its best game of the season defensively to beat Arizona State, as the Sun Devils are likely to do their best to shorten the game offensively. Offensively, the Bears must be prepared to move the ball methodically down the field against a cover-three look and run the ball effectively against favorable numbers. Oh, and finish with touchdowns and not field goals in the red zone. Defensively, I think the Bears can get enough stops to establish an early lead and hold on late.

Ashley Hodge (1-2) — Baylor 42, Arizona State 31

Dave Aranda and Baylor are overdue for a performance that accelerates momentum for this program. What better time than the conference opener? It’s going to take a focused effort, but I think these Bears will be sharp offensively. Time to put it all together! Sawyer Robertson throws four touchdown passes, and Baylor gets something on special teams or defense to get separation in the second half.

Grayson Grundhoefer (2-1) — Baylor 34, Arizona State 30

In many ways, this game feels similar to the one Baylor lost against Auburn to open the season. It’s a home game against a team that can really run the football, has a mobile quarterback, has an elite wide receiver, stops the run on defense, pass rushes at a high level, but has a secondary that can be taken advantage of, and a quarterback who still has some things to prove. Round 1 against an opponent like that did not go so well for the Bears.

However, I do think that from a talent standpoint, there are some key differences in favor of Auburn over Arizona State when considering NFL talent and overall team athleticism. For that reason, I think Baylor has already faced a more talented opponent, but I don’t believe Arizona State has played anyone as good as Baylor yet. This is my best read, but I think Baylor is better than Mississippi State. Because of that, I think Sawyer Robertson and the offense will move the ball enough to compensate for the deficiencies on defense as they have a chance to learn from the mistakes of Week 1.

Jack Mackenzie (2-1) — Arizona State 34, Baylor 27

Something doesn’t feel right about this game to me. Whether it is the defense not having a convincing performance yet this season, or Sawyer pressing things last week, or maybe that it is an important night game in McLane… This just feels like a Baylor loss to me. Despite so many guys returning from last year, I think this team will need another “at Colorado” type of loss to turn the corner this year. Hopefully, I will be proven wrong.

Levi Caraway (2-1) — Arizona State 31, Baylor 24

After both teams suffered an early-season loss in non-conference play, the pressure ratchets up for both squads to find a way to secure a win in this Big 12 opener. While I think the Bears should probably take down the Sun Devils at home, recent evidence doesn’t give me a lot of faith that a Dave Aranda-coached team will rise to the occasion and play four clean quarters of football against a quality opponent. If the Bears jump out to a quick lead, watch out. If not, it’ll be an all too familiar theme that we’ve seen in big games in Waco since the 2021 season.

Sam Bradshaw (2-1) — Arizona State 34, Baylor 31

Arizona State is a team with a lot of upside, despite the loss to a subpar Mississippi State squad. Although the quarterback was inconsistent in that game, I worry about Baylor’s struggles against the run. If Baylor is healthy and sound defensively, I would feel better, but I need to see it.. Sawyer Robertson and the offense get back on track, but the Bears let Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson, and the backs loose one too many times.